While you were probably out enjoying your Friday night, Virginia Tech and Pitt had a weird one that went down to the wire in Blacksburg. Pittsburgh would stay undefeated by virtue of the prettiest looking missed field goal you would ever hope to see in your entire life. Had the Hokies made the 36-yard attempt, we might be looking at the second best team in the ACC right now behind only Miami.
So, while Pitt improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in ACC play, it may have been a fatal victory for the Panthers. Pat Narduzzi may have himself a defense, but he will be down a starting quarterback the rest of the way. Mason Heintschel suffered a torn ACL in Pitt's road victory over Virginia Tech. While Pitt may be ranked by this time tomorrow, Heintschel's injury certainly dampens the Panthers' ceiling.
What this means for Clemson is two of their biggest competitors for getting to Charlotte are now dealing with different kinds of adversity. Virginia Tech has to be kicking itself after letting this one fall out of their hands at Lane Stadium. As far as Pitt is concerned, the Panthers are going to have to be a defensive-minded team the rest of the way. Heintschel gave them way more viability while on offense.
VIRGINIA TECH MISSES THE FIELD GOAL AND PITT WINS 35-33.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 3, 2026
UNBELIEVABLE. pic.twitter.com/2RGPPeag2Y
Clemson has some ACC breathing room after Pitt's win over Virginia Tech
Because Clemson has yet to suffer an ACC defeat on the season, a team it will be hosting later this month in Virginia Tech is looking up at the Tigers in the standings... at least for now. While Clemson does not play Pittsburgh during the regular season, the chances of them reaching the conference title bout have taken a massive hit because of Heintschel's untimely injury. It may only be a bowl team.
In short, a home loss to Miami would not be as punitive as expected coming into this week. A Virginia Tech win would have put more pressure on the Tigers to get it done versus Miami, since they will play each other in Death Valley on Oct. 24. While Pitt could still have a season worth writing home about, any grandiose thoughts of the Panthers getting to and winning in Charlotte are now out the window.
Given that other ACC contenders like Louisville, SMU, and Virginia have not looked impressive, this gives Clemson a decent shot at redemption against Miami in Charlotte, if it even comes to that. While the Tigers do avoid Wake Forest this year, Duke looms large in the penultimate week of the season. Clemson can make headway in the ACC hierarchy, but it has to start by looking the part versus Miami.
Yes, we will know much more about Miami after Saturday night's game. Right now, the Hurricanes have earned the right to sit in the driver's seat when it comes to playing for an ACC Championship. The big question now is who will be riding shotgun with them on their way to Charlotte. After what we have seen so far in ACC play in Week 5, Clemson's chances of being co-pilot are more alive than ever.
If Clemson looks legit when facing Virginia Tech in three weeks, it may come down to the Duke game.
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